Koulourakia (Greek Butter Cookies)

My Gram was famous for these soft, buttery, golden cookies.  Her kitchen was a constant mess of flour, baking soda, pots, pans, and sugar.  But from her oven emanated the most heavenly scent of creamy butter and vanilla with a just hint of orange.  I recently tried my hand at these golden twists, fully expecting an arduous, complicated undertaking.  The recipe turned out to be surprisingly simple. 

The experience itself was a welcome trip down memory lane.  I was nervous, never having made Gram's Koulourakia before (that, and I don't consider baking among my strengths, although I am trying).  But, as my senses took over, I began to remember running through Gram's house, stopping to sample a small piece of dough here, and a freshly baked cookie there.  I pictured her standing at the kitchen table, rolling out each, walnut-size piece of cookie dough with both hands, and then shaping twists ever so delicately.  As I baked, the sights, smells and tastes all came flooding back.  I truly felt her presence and love, guiding me along the way.

For me, the hardest part was sizing each cookie.  Some came out as perfect little, twisted confections, but others ballooned into fat, stubby treats.  In either case, the end result was met with applause from family and friends!

There are several different versions of Koulourakia recipes.   Below are two I like best.

 http://greekfood.about.com/od/cookiescakes/r/Koulourakia-Greek-Butter-Cookies-With-Sesame.htm
This first link calls for Ouzo and sesame seeds (neither of which I used), and omits orange.  I included the link because the directions are extremely clear, and helpful.  

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-specials/irenes-sweet-koulourakia-recipe/index.html
This second link is from foodnetwork.com, and is the closest to the one I used.  This recipe includes orange juice and omits the sesame seeds. 

απολαμβάνουν!  (Enjoy!)